There are lots of wedding superstitions and some have more basis than others, so you might want to take account of some of them when planning your big day. The day of the week and time of year are things that are decided quite quickly and you may wish to pay heed to the following rhyme when deciding (or not, as the case may be with Saturday still being the most popular day)

“Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.”

Spring and summer are the most popular seasons to get married in, although almost any month can have a rainy day if you are getting married in the UK, so this rhyme is as good a way as any to decide on the time of year!“Married when the year is new, he’ll be loving, kind & true,

When February birds do mate, you may wed nor dread your fate,

If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you’ll know,

Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man,

Marry in the month of May, and you’ll surely rue the day,

Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you’ll go,

Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bread,

Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see,

Marry in September’s shrine, your living will be rich and fine,

If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry,

If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember,

When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.”

In the Chinese culture weddings take place at half past the hour so that the couples married life begins on the upswing, which is thought to be luckier, so even the time of day should be taken in to account. Brides should beware of trying on the whole of their outfit before the wedding day or signing their married name as both these actions are thought to bring bad luck, as is seeing the groom before the service or the groom going back in to the house once he has left for the wedding.

It is a good omen to be kissed by a chimney sweep on your wedding day and they can be hired for the occasion now that they are a less commonplace sight, and it is also lucky to see a black cat, toad or a rainbow on the morning of a wedding. Those in a more rural setting should beware of hearing a cock crow after dawn or seeing a pig, hare or lizard as these are all thought to be bad omens. Beware of dropping the wedding ring at the service, make sure the bride leaves the house by the front door and steps out right foot first, is carried over the threshold of the marital home so she does not trip, and avoids peonies in her bouquet as they symbolise shame in the Victorian language of flowers.

Considering the minefield of superstitions that surround weddings in all kinds of cultures perhaps it is better to choose your life partner wisely, take your wedding vows seriously, and trust to the power of love rather than luck for a long and happy marriage.